ALBANY – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo today announced that public libraries in his district have been awarded a combined $418,980 for construction funds.

“Many of our public libraries are in desperate need of renovations and upgrades,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “We need to make libraries accessible and enjoyable for all, which means building better access for those who are disabled, installing heating and air conditioning for comfort and providing Internet and other electronic technology to aid in learning. I thank the New York State Library for granting these needed funds so that we can preserve our local libraries for decades to come.”

ROME – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi today announced they have secured a combined $400,000 for the Rome City School District after receiving assurances from school officials that they will submit to an immediate review, followed by a full audit by the state Comptroller’s Office.

UTICA – Joseph A. Griffo wrote to 21 police departments in his Senate district this week, urging them to apply for a grant that would provide training and equipment in the fight against heroin.

Griffo had asked the Office of the Attorney General to extend its deadline for the Community Overdose Prevention (COP) program so that more local departments could apply for funds. The office announced Friday that the new deadline would be Sept. 1, due to popular demand.

The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S3008), sponsored by Joseph Griffo (R-C-I, Rome), to amend the state constitution to allow the Governor to call a special election to fill vacancies in the offices of Comptroller, Attorney-General or U.S. Senator, ensuring these officers are chosen by the people of the state and not the Legislature.

As the Senate regular session comes to a close, I have redoubled my efforts to get my priority legislation passed before then.

In total, I’ve gotten 47 of my 119 bills passed so far this session. The Assembly has also passed 23 of those 47 bills, and the governor has signed 16 of them into law. Five are awaiting his review. I thank my colleagues for helping me achieve the success I’ve enjoyed so far.

Here’s my thinking. First and foremost, a good state legislator is an advocate for his constituents. I’m occasionally asked by local government to help them enact special laws that would only apply to them – a good example is the regular reauthorization of a local sales tax rate, which can help ease the property tax burden.

ALBANY – The New York State Senate today passed four bills sponsored by Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, including a bill to ban powdered alcohol, one to help Utica schools and another to protect first responders, and a fourth to limit government and empower voters regarding statewide offices.

“I’m proud of the work the Senate Majority Coalition has done statewide to gather input from people affected by this drug scourge,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “It’s time to take this one step further, and make sure we arm everyone with the tools to combat an opioid overdose.”

Heroin – its use and abuse – continue to pepper police blotters across New York lately.

I joined the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction because I wanted to see if we could make an impact legislatively. I know this addictive drug, which is cheap and easy to obtain, isn’t going away. But that’s no reason to give up. Too many families have waged prolonged battles to help loved ones, only to see them overcome by their addiction.

UTICA – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo is partnering with his local libraries to entice more children to read this summer. The New York Senate’s 2014 Summer Reading Program, in conjunction with the New York State Library, offers families several entertaining ways to encourage reading.

“Reading is the cornerstone of learning,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “I want children to be excited about picking up a book this summer, so our libraries have designed a lot of fun activities to keep kids motivated.”

MASSENA – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo announced today that he has secured $100,000 in state funds for the reconstruction of Liberty and Garvin avenues in the village of Massena.

“Good infrastructure is an integral part of a healthy economy,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “I know how hard this winter was on our north country roads, so I was pleased to assist the village in securing these needed funds.”

ALBANY – The lieutenant governor position has drawn increased attention and scrutiny in the past month in light of an upcoming change in personnel in November.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger believe this is a perfect time for the Legislature to reconsider how the lieutenant governor is chosen and his or her role in the governing of New York. They sponsor three bills that would institute some common-sense reforms:

ROME – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo is teaming up with six former U.S. presidents to bring New York history into local elementary classrooms Friday.

The traveling road show, “Empire State Executives: New York’s Presidents,” will teach students about New Yorkers in politics who made it to the highest office in the country. Griffo, R-Rome, will also explain his job in the New York Senate, and the similarities and differences between today and the past.